Let’s face it — as a business leader or owner of a small to medium-sized business, you’re likely wearing far too many hats. Sales, strategy, operations, hiring, performance management, compliance... maybe even unjamming the office printer (again) while trying to ensure you are working on the future plans and viability of your business.

Delegation is a key skill for any leader but sometimes, you need expert help and HR is one of those areas that can’t simply be handed over to the junior admin person. 

How do you know if you need more help with your people stuff or even when it’s time to call in the HR reinforcements?  Let’s take a look…

1. You’re spending more time on people problems than on business growth

Are you finding that performance issues, absenteeism, or team tensions are eating into your day? Maybe you’re constantly navigating tricky people matters or grappling with the application of Awards or EBAs instead of focusing on strategy or clients.

Outsourced HR gives you back your time — so you can work on your business, not just in it.

2. Your “HR system” is a collection of sticky notes and emails

We get it. In the early days, HR admin often looks like a folder marked “To Do” and a few spreadsheets. But as your team grows, so does the risk of things slipping through the cracks - especially when it comes to contracts, policies, and compliance all of which are key areas that can land you in trouble if you aren’t sure about what you are doing.

If your HR processes are more reactive than proactive, outsourcing can bring structure, consistency, and peace of mind (without having to hire a full-time HR manager). You will know that you are ticking all the required legal boxes but at the same time, also receiving the support and advice that allows you to be proactive with your people which in turn helps you build an engaged and motivated team.. Reduced stress for you and a surety for your team that they are being appropriately treated.

3. What even is compliance?

Award interpretation. Fair Work updates. Right to request flexibility. Parental leave. Terminations. Redundancy. Positive duty responsibility. Required documentation. If any of those words make you twitch a little, you’re not alone. Employment law in Australia can be complex, and the past three years, there have been a significant number of amendments and additions to the Fair Work Act. 

A good, outsourced HR partner keeps you out of hot water by making sure your business stays compliant and protected — without the legal jargon overload. Compliance is not just meeting legal requirements, it’s also about protecting your people and your business.

4. You’re growing — fast !

Growth is exciting, but it comes with its own people headaches. Recruitment ramps up. New leaders emerge. Cultural challenges pop up. Change needs to be managed.  It’s a lot. And if your team doesn’t scale with intention, things can quickly become chaotic.

An outsourced HR consultant can help you plan for smart, scalable growth, so your structure, culture and systems evolve alongside your business.

5. You need HR support but not an increase to head count

Maybe you don’t need a full-time HR manager yet - or maybe you’ve had one in the past - but now need something more flexible and cost-effective.  Perhaps your plan is for someone external to provide help now with the view to them helping you recruit and train a future in house HR team member.

Outsourced HR gives you access to senior-level expertise (either on a retainer or pay-as-you-go basis), so you get the right advice when you need it, without overcommitting your budget. In the same way that many businesses utilise an external accountant so they can make sure their taxes and financial decisions are correctly handled, HR consultants can deliver the same surety for all your people matters.

6. You’ve had a difficult people situation

Whether it’s a tricky termination, a bullying complaint, or an employee lodging a claim, one big issue is often the turning point. You realise: “We need proper HR support.”

Outsourcing can offer on-demand expertise when things get difficult and you are out of your depth, and also help you prevent issues before they escalate. Having an HR consultant that you can call or email anytime you need will alleviate significant stress as they can help you work through all the challenges that come managing a diverse range of people with varying needs and concerns of their own.

A real example (anonymous, of course)

One of our clients, a national retail business with about 50 staff, came to us as they were struggling with high turnover and it was costing them big dollars in recruitment and lost knowledge and experience. They were struggling to staff their stores and get them open every day. Morale was low, there were no clear position descriptions, and exit interviews hinted at deeper cultural issues. We undertook an HR Health Check to seek to understand where the problems lay and were able to identify the root causes. Essentially, people didn’t have a clear picture of what they were supposed to do, managers had been promoted to leadership positions with no coaching and as a result, were not providing the team with what they needed and there was no clear path forward for anyone…..

They didn’t have the capacity internally to deal with it all — but with a bit of outside support, we:

• Updated all job descriptions and contracts
  
  
• Developed and rolled out updated policies
  
  
• Helped them recruit a new team leader and team members with the right cultural fit
  
  
• Built a training program that allowed employees to reach professional goals and see a future within the company
  
  
• Rolled out a simple feedback framework for their managers
  
  
• Provided some coaching to relevant leaders on their obligations around staff management but also on best practice and how to engage their teams
  
  
• Provided support to senior management helping them stay on track with their business goals knowing they had the team in place to support their expansion
  

The result? A happier, more productive team — and a business owner who could finally sleep at night. All of this was achieved by having one of our HR Professionals step in and run a HR Health Check which allowed them to develop an action plan for the business.  Our team member embedded into the business one day a week and is still there in a support capacity even though they have now grown significantly and have a full time HR Manager in place (who we helped recruit and we now provide with training and development as they grow into a more senior and seasoned HR professional themselves!).

HR doesn’t have to be hard

HR isn’t just about policies and problems — done well, it’s about creating a workplace where people are engaged and thrive while your business grows. If you’re starting to feel like the HR side of your business is holding you back (or keeping you up at night), it could be time to bring in some outside help.

We are here to help when you need us

Of course we have a vested interest in telling you all about the benefits of outsourced HR consultants! The very reason that we love what we do is that we help reduce the worry that comes with trying to get the HR piece right while also trying to lead your business. Sure, we deal with the messy hard stuff but we also have a focus on helping you build a productive and engaged workforce that supports your business goals. 

At HR Staff n’ Stuff, we work with growing businesses across Australia to provide flexible, practical and down to earth HR support. No lock-in contracts. No jargon. Just expert help when (and how) you need it.

Contact HR Staff n’ Stuff today to find out how we can best support your business.